Publish-header
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2022-06-12
Bulletin Contents
Pentecost
Organization Icon
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (904)-829-0504
  • Fax:
  • (904)829-0507
  • Street Address:

  • 2940 CR-214

  • St. Augustine, FL 32084-2718


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Sunday  Divine Liturgy 10:00am    V. Rev. Father Maximos Politis, Priest


Past Bulletins


Parish News

 A Word from Fr. Maximos:

Father

Πεντηκοστή / Pentecost

Η κάθοδος του Αγίου Πνεύματος, η οποία εορτάζεται την Πεντηκοστή, σηματοδοτεί τα γενέθλια της Εκκλησίας της οποία κεφαλή είναι ο Χριστός. Χωρίς το Άγιο Πνεύμα δεν υπάρχει Εκκλησία. Οι Πιστοί λαμβάνουν το Άγιο Πνεύμα κατά τη Βάπτιση και την Χρίση. Είναι όπως ανάβουμε μια φωτιά. Είναι ανάγκη να την συντηρούμε ή και να την δυναμώνουμε.

Πώς γίνεται αυτό; Είναι αρκετή η συμμετοχή μας στο Μυστήριο της Θείας Ευχαριστίας; Ασφαλώς και όχι. Ο Χριστιανός κάνει πράξη τις εντολές του Χριστού, μιμείται τη ζωή του Χριστού και τη ζωή των Αγίων, συμμετέχει στην ζωή της Εκκλησίας και ετοιμάζει την ψυχή του να δεχθεί το σώμα και το αίμα του Χριστού. Η Θεία Κοινωνία είναι το επιστέγασμα όλου του Πνευματικού του αγώνα και δίδεται "εις άφεσιν αμαρτιών και εις ζωήν αιώνιον."

Χωρίς τον Πνευματικό αγώνα, η Χάρη του Αγίου Πνεύματος είναι σαν σπίθα στις στάχτες. Η συμμετοχή στη ζωή της Εκκλησίας και κατά συνέπεια η κατά Χριστόν ζωή κάνει τη σπίθα φωτιά και φέρνει στην ψυχή το φως του Χριστού.

descent

Pentecost

The descent of the Holy Spirit, which is celebrated on Pentecost, marks the birthday of the Church headed by Christ. Without the Holy Spirit there is no Church. The Faithful receive the Holy Spirit at the Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation. It is like lighting a fire. We need to maintain it or even strengthen it.

How is this done? Is our participation in the Sacrament of Holy Communion enough? Certainly not. The Christian practices the commands of Christ, imitates the life of Christ and the life of the Saints, participates in the life of the Church, and prepares his soul to receive the body and blood of Christ. Holy Communion is the culmination of all his Spiritual struggle.

Without the Spiritual struggle, the Grace of the Holy Spirit is like a spark in the ashes.  Participation in the life of the Church and consequently the life according to Christ makes the spark fire and brings to the soul the light of Christ.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Parish Council News:

We thank all those who have generously offered support to replace the A/C units.  The HTGOC parish council will undertake additional capital improvement projects, including clearing the retention pond and office computer updates.  Any financial support toward these projects is welcomed.  As summer is upon us, historically we see a decline in attendance and on impact giving.  Your donations can be made on-line at www.holytrinitygoc.com – set-up recurring gifts online.  As always, we thank you for your continued support of our beloved Holy Trinity Church.

Special Prayer Requests:

pray

“I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people….  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing of all parishioners -prayers for the family and friends of Mikae Gaetanos.  Prayers for Gary Peterson; Michael Colburn; Chris Bersu; Michael and Ingrid Fotianos; Ruza Basimamovic; Chresanthe Lemieux; Zoe Kauttu; Maryann Bolt; James Day; Margaret, James, Kyriake; Joseph, Alex Aclim; Jane Anderson; Gwen H.; and Thanos Nikolopoulos.  Remember also our missionary families: Fr. Stephanos, Pr. Alexandria, Moses & Athan Ritsi serving in Albania.  Congrats to Nick & Toni Lekas on their new grandson, Nathaniel Andreas Lekas born to Andreas and Elizabeth Lekas on March 9. God grant him many years!

Thank you for your prayers …. We would like to thank you for your prayers, love, and support during Gary’s recent health issues.  We can’t put into words how much we appreciate all of you!  The flowers you sent are beautiful and brightened up our day. Our family and we have been given a tremendous blessing with Gods help, and the love and support of our family, friends, and all of our church community. God bless you all and thank you so much for everything!  Your brother and sister in Christ, Gary and Fotini Peterson

spiritual home

 "Our Church, Our Spiritual Home"

Your offerings help make Holy Trinity a place of welcome for all people who are seeking to reconnect with Christ.  Most importantly, they are your expression of gratitude and thanksgiving to God, who provides for your every need even before you ask.

Regular stewardship offerings are the foundation of our spiritual home.  If you have not already done so, please fill out a 2022 Stewardship Pledge form, and then set up a plan for regular contributions.  You may also make a stewardship pledge or payment electronically at www.holytrinitygoc.com.  Thank you.

community

St. Francis House:
1. Bulk Lunch Meat and Cheese Needed:
A kitchen manager said they are in desperate need of lunch meat and cheeses, please help deliver to their location, especially with the critical lunches.
2. Volunteers Needed: Due to COVID, St. Francis House is still doing drop-off meals, which we drop off, always at 70 Washington Street front door at 5 p.m. If you would like to help prepare a meal, they accept anything and are very grateful for all donations.
If you're able to help, please let Richard know at church, 904-347-9189 or dickbilleter@gmail.com. Dick can let the kitchen manager know.
3. April Meals: Thank You!
Thank you Jim Humphries for helping deliver ham and Noah and his dad, Richard, topped it off with mac-and-cheese.
4.  Future Meals: Not able to help in May? Please look to help us another day -- we help deliver dinners the 2nd Monday of every month. Online: Please visit us online at http://www.facebook/holytrinityoutreach.com

Greek Festival:

festival

The annual Holy Trinity Greek Festival is October 7-9, 2022.  Our popular festival will begin with "Friday to go" with pre-orders only.  Saturday and Sunday will include music, dance and on-site dining.  A Zoom Festival meeting will take place Mon June 13 at 7pm.  Join at

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86206526547?pwd=OWFpZTVYWEhXRVFsS1NsdWFDY3BnZz09 (meeting ID: 862 0652 6547; passcode: HTGOC)

Greek Summer Night Success:

The 2022 Greek Summer Night was a huge success!  A big thank you (and OPA!) to everyone for your support and participation.  We hosted over 140 guests from St. Augustine, Daytona Beach and Jacksonville.  The night was filled with fun, dancing and Greek food.  Additionally, we raised over $4000 for our beloved Holy Trinity Church.  Kai tou hronou (and to next year)!

 Sunday School:
We are so thankful for the parents who have resumed bringing their children to Sunday School.  We invite all families to join us on Sunday at the Divine Liturgy and to send your kids to Sunday School right after Holy Communion.  Presbytera Renee Ritsi - 904 377-2591.

Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed!
coffee

We need volunteers to host coffee hour.  You can do it solo or share the responsibility with someone else.  Please sign up at:  www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CA5AB2AA0FFC34-sunday, email Stefanie Burke at holy3goc.hostess@gmail.com; call 904/671-4566; or speak to Stefanie after church and she can sign you up.  Thank you in advance for considering offering this hospitality to our parish family and guests.

 [Using the SignUpGenius link:  click the blue box that says SIGN UP; then the brown box at the bottom    of the page that says SUBMIT AND SIGN UP - this will take you to the next screen; and click on SIGN UP NOW]

 


Holy Services and Events Schedule - Orthros 9.m. & Divine Liturgy 10a.m.

June

11       Saturday of Souls - May the Lord grant eternal rest to their souls.  We are called to pray for those who have fallen asleep in the Lord on the Saturdays of Souls.  Please take time to prepare a list of deceased loved ones for whom you wish the priest to pray.

12       Pentecost

13       Day of the Holy Spirit (Nameday)

13       Greek Festival meeting 6:30 (via Zoom)

19       All Saints

          Father’s Day Happy

25      Detsis/Debra Wedding

20      Parish Council

20-30 Apostles Fast

26       St. Photios Shrine Greek Landing Day

29       Apostles Peter & Paul

30       Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles


Giving:
giving
 On-Line:  Click “Donate Now” on our Church’s webpage:   www.HolyTrinityGOC.com to make a gift.  Give via credit card, PayPal, or set up recurrent giving through your bank.  Please be sure a specific notation (ex: stewardship) is included for each transaction.
  • Our “Light a Candle & Say a Prayer” ministry lets you to light a candle during divine services.  Your request will be forwarded to a Council member in the Narthex to light your candle.  If  you wish to provide names of loved ones to be prayed for, those will be provided to Fr. Maximos.

Giving by Check:  Please be sure to include a notation on the memo line to allows us to identify your intentions (i.e. stewardship, candles, trays, memorials, etc.).

Weekly Offering:  The Lord's day is to be the time for a weekly offering for the support of His cause.  Make your offering today and enable our Church to continue to enhance the spiritual growth of the Orthodox Christians entrusted to our care.  Your offering can be made at the collection basket as you exit the service.


Parish Office:

Please call (904 829-0504) or email (holy3goc@gmail.com) the parish office to update your contact information.  Also, if you know of anyone who doesn’t receive parish emails but would like to, please encourage them to contact the parish office with their contact information.

  • NOTE:  If you would like Faye Peterson or Angela Lekos to prepare the Koliva for a memorial, remember there is a fee, usually $100 for time, supplies, etc. for the preparation.
  • If you have a request for a special service such as a memorial, please email the church office at holy3goc@gmail.com or call 904 829-0504 (if you do not have access to email) in advance of requested date with details.
  • If you would like any of the following, please contact Fr. Maximos  via email at fathermaximusa7@gmail.com or text him at 347 500-8176: 
    • To receive a phone message from Father Maximos about services, special events or other subjects.
    • To arrange an appointment for a House Blessing.
    • To offer Holy Communion to someone in need at a hospital, nursing home, in hospice care, or at home.       
  •  The normal deadline for the Church bulletin e-mail articles is before 12pm on Wednesday weekly.
  • If you want your announcements on the master calendar, please remember to e-mail them to the office at holy3goc@gmail.com.
  • Note:  Office Admin. Assist. will be out of the office on Monday (June 13), Tuesday (June 14), and Wednesday (June 15) on family business.

Weekly Photo:

Πάντα εν σοφία εποίησας. In wisdom you have made them all. Pictures from St. Augustine. 

https://www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityGOC/photos/a.214784738566511/5515530728491859

On the beach



 

BACK TO TOP

Special Announcements

BACK TO TOP

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Pentecost in the Plagal 4th Tone

Blessed are You, O Christ our God. You sent down the Holy Spirit into the fishermen, and You gave them knowledge and wisdom in everything; and through them, as in a net You caught the whole world. O Lord who loves humanity, glory to You! Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ πανσόφους τοὺς ἁλιεῖς ἀναδείξας, καταπέμψας αὐτοῖς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, καὶ δι' αὐτῶν τὴν οἰκουμένην σαγηνεύσας, Φιλάνθρωπε, δόξα σοι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Tone

When the Most High God came down and confused the tongues, * He divided the nations. * When He distributed the tongues of fire, * He called all to unity. * And with one voice we glorify the all-holy Spirit. Ὅτε καταβὰς τὰς γλώσσας συνέχεε, διεμέριζεν ἔθνη ὁ Ὕψιστος· ὅτε τοῦ πυρὸς τὰς γλώσσας διένειμεν, εἰς ἑνότητα πάντας ἐκάλεσε· καὶ συμφώνως δοξάζομεν τὸ Πανάγιον Πνεῦμα.
BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Pentecost
June 12

Holy Pentecost

After the Saviour's Ascension into the Heavens, the eleven Apostles and the rest of His disciples, the God-loving women who followed after Him from the beginning, His Mother, the most holy Virgin Mary, and His brethren-all together about 120 souls returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem. Entering into the house where they gathered, they went into the upper room, and there they persevered in prayer and supplication, awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit, as their Divine Teacher had promised them. In the meanwhile, they chose Matthias, who was elected to take the place of Judas among the Apostles.

Thus, on this day, the seventh Sunday of Pascha, the tenth day after the Ascension and the fiftieth day after Pascha, at the third hour of the day from the rising of the sun, there suddenly came a sound from Heaven, as when a mighty wind blows, and it filled the whole house where the Apostles and the rest with them were gathered. Immediately after the sound, there appeared tongues of fire that divided and rested upon the head of each one. Filled with the Spirit, all those present began speaking not in their native tongue, but in other tongues and dialects, as the Holy Spirit instructed them.

The multitudes that had come together from various places for the feast, most of whom were Jews by race and religion, were called Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and so forth, according to the places where they dwelt. Though they spoke many different tongues, they were present in Jerusalem by divine dispensation. When they heard that sound that came down from Heaven to the place where the disciples of Christ were gathered, all ran together to learn what had taken place. But they were confounded when they came and heard the Apostles speaking in their own tongues. Marvelling at this, they said one to another, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" But others, because of their foolishness and excess of evil, mocked the wonder and said that the Apostles were drunken.

Then Peter stood up with the eleven, and raising his voice, spoke to all the people, proving that that which had taken place was not drunkenness, but the fulfilment of God's promise that had been spoken by the Prophet Joel: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that I shall pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy" (Joel 2:28), and he preached Jesus of Nazareth unto them, proving in many ways that He is Christ the Lord, Whom the Jews crucified but God raised from the dead. On hearing Peter's teaching, many were smitten with compunction and received the word. Thus, they were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added to the Faith of Christ.

Such, therefore, are the reasons for today's feast: the coming of the All-holy Spirit into the world, the completion of the Lord Jesus Christ's promise, and the fulfilment of the hope of the sacred disciples, which we celebrate today. This is the final feast of the great mystery and dispensation of God's incarnation. On this last, and great, and saving day of Pentecost, the Apostles of the Saviour, who were unlearned fishermen, made wise now of a sudden by the Holy Spirit, clearly and with divine authority spoke the heavenly doctrines. They became heralds of the truth and teachers of the whole world. On this day they were ordained and began their apostleship, of which the salvation of those three thousand souls in one day was the comely and marvellous first fruit.

Some erroneously hold that Pentecost is the "birthday of the Church." But this is not true, for the teaching of the holy Fathers is that the Church existed before all other things. In the second vision of The Shepherd of Hermas we read: "Now brethren, a revelation was made unto me in my sleep by a youth of exceeding fair form, who said to me, 'Whom thinkest thou the aged woman, from whom thou receivedst the book, to be?' I say, 'The Sibyl.' 'Thou art wrong,' saith he, 'she is not.' 'Who then is she?' I say. 'The Church,' saith he. I said unto him, 'Wherefore then is she aged?' 'Because,' saith he, 'she was created before all things; therefore is she aged, and for her sake the world was framed."' Saint Gregory the Theologian also speaks of "the Church of Christ ... both before Christ and after Christ" (PG 35:1108-9). Saint Epiphanius of Cyprus writes, "The Catholic Church, which exists from the ages, is revealed most clearly in the incarnate advent of Christ" (PG 42:640). Saint John Damascene observes, "The Holy Catholic Church of God, therefore, is the assembly of the holy Fathers, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, and Martyrs who have been from the very beginning, to whom were added all the nations who believed with one accord" (PG 96, 1357c). According to Saint Gregory the Theologian, "The Prophets established the Church, the Apostles conjoined it, and the Evangelists set it in order" (PG 35, 589 A). The Church existed from the creation of the Angels, for the Angels came into existence before the creation of the world, and they have always been members of the Church. Saint Clement, Bishop of Rome, says in his second epistle to the Corinthians, the Church "was created before the sun and moon"; and a little further on, "The Church existeth not now for the first time, but hath been from the beginning" (II Cor. 14).

That which came to pass at Pentecost, then, was the ordination of the Apostles, the commencement of the apostolic preaching to the nations, and the inauguration of the priesthood of the new Israel. Saint Cyril of Alexandria says that "Our Lord Jesus Christ herein ordained the instructors and teachers of the world and the stewards of His divine Mysteries ... showing together with the dignity of Apostleship, the incomparable glory of the authority given them ... Revealing them to be splendid with the great dignity of the Apostleship and showing them forth as both stewards and priests of the divine altars . . . they became fit to initiate others through the enlightening guidance of the Holy Spirit" (PG 74, 708-712). Saint Gregory Palamas says, "Now, therefore ... the Holy Spirit descended ... showing the Disciples to be supernal luminaries ... and the distributed grace of the Divine Spirit came through the ordination of the Apostles upon their successors" (Homily 24, 10). And Saint Sophronius, Bishop of Jerusalem, writes, "After the visitation of the Comforter, the Apostles became high priests" (PG 87, 3981B). Therefore, together with the baptism of the Holy Spirit which came upon them who were present in the upper chamber, which the Lord had foretold as recorded in the Acts, "ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence" (Acts 1:5), the Apostles were also appointed and raised to the high priestly rank, according to Saint John Chrysostom (PG 60, 21). On this day commenced the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by which we become "partakers of the Divine Nature" (II Peter 1:4). For before Pentecost, it is said of the Apostles and disciples only that they abode in "prayer and supplication" (Acts 1:14); it is only after the coming of the Holy Spirit that they persevered in the "breaking of bread,"that is, the communion of the Holy Mysteries-"and in prayer" (Acts 2:42).

The feast of holy Pentecost, therefore, determined the beginning of the priesthood of grace, not the beginning of the Church. Henceforth, the Apostles proclaimed the good tidings "in country and town," preaching and baptizing and appointing shepherds, imparting the priesthood to them whom they judged were worthy to minister, as Saint Clement writes in his first Epistle to the Corinthians (I Cor. 42).

All foods allowed during the week following Pentecost.


Peteratheniteonouphrios
June 12

Onuphrius of Egypt

Saint Onuphrius flourished in the fourth century, first in the cenobium near Hermopolis of Thebes in Egypt, and later as a solitary in the desert, where he was discovered by Saint Paphnutius. When Paphnutius first encountered him deep in the desert, he was affrighted at the Saint's appearance, seeing him covered with hair like a wild beast and naked except for a garment sewn of leaves covering his loins. After relating his life and the bitter conflicts he had endured as a hermit, Onuphrius told Paphnutius that he was about to die, and that Paphnutius had been sent to bury him, which soon came to pass. Although Paphnutius desired afterwards to remain in the Saint's cave, as soon as he had buried him, the cave fell in and the palm tree, which had furnished the Saint with dates withered up, indicating that it was the will of God that Paphnutius return to his monastery and make Saint Onuphrius known to all.


Peteratheniteonouphrios
June 12

Peter the Athonite

Saint Peter was born of noble parents in Constantinople in the ninth century. Sent forth with the Roman army against the Saracens, he was taken captive and shut up in the prison of Samarra in Syria; this is no doubt the same prison in which the Forty-Two Martyrs of Amorion were kept (see Mar. 6). Released from prison through the prayers of Saint Nicholas of Myra and Saint Symeon the God-receiver, he fled to Rome, where he became a monk, and later came to the peninsula of Athos, where he lived in a cave as a solitary, suffering many temptations from the evil one, but also enjoying the manifest help of the most holy Theotokos. After many years, he reposed in peace.


BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 4th Tone. Psalm 18.4,1.
Their voice has gone out into all the earth.
Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11.

WHEN THE DAY of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontos and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God."


Gospel Reading

Holy Pentecost
The Reading is from John 7:37-52; 8:12

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

When they heard these words, some of the people said, "This is really the prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this man!" The Pharisees answered them, "Are you led astray, you also? Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed." Nikodemos, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee." Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."


BACK TO TOP